HABITAT USE BY EASTERN SCREECH-OWLS IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY

Habitat use by 17 radio-tagged Eastern Screech-Owls (Otus asio) was ex amined in central Kentucky. On a rural study area, owls used woodlot ( deciduous forest) and edge habitats more than expected based on availa bility, and used pastures, old fields and cropland less than expected. Screech-owls may prefer wooded habitats because they offer increased prey availability and suitable hunting perches. During the non-breedin g period, some adult screech-owls increased use of woodlot habitat. Th is shift may reflect improved hunting conditions in woodlots and chang es in roosting behavior during winter, i.e., owls shift to roosting in tree cavities in woodlots. Juvenile screech-owls used edge habitats m ore during the non-breeding (post-dispersal) period. If woodlot habita t is preferred during this period, as indicated by the behavior of adu lts, then resident, adult screech-owls may be limiting juveniles to su boptimal edge habitats.